by Marybeth Gardam

As early as November, 2011 National Move To Amend started organizing people from around the country to mark the 2nd  Anniversary of the Citizens United decision, the Supreme Court’s notorious giveaway of democracy, unleashing unlimited political contributions for corporations. Events that ranged from holding banners across busy highways to rallies outside Federal Court Houses were planned.

In the end, over 130 cities participated in the national day of action. WILPF members were well represented around the country, with rousing rallies and street theater. Not everyone who participated reported specific details of their event, but we know that Cape Cod WILPFers joined their Boston WILPF sisters at the Federal Court house for a rally in pretty cold temperatures. Mary Zepernick bundled up in layers and long underwear beneath her I MISS DEMOCRACY get-up. In Des Moines there were two events, including a FUNERAL MARCH FOR DEMOCRACY at the Rotunda of the State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 19th and a Rally at the Federal Building on Friday, the 20th. 

WILPF members also rallied outside the new Federal Courthouse in Cedar Rapids - despite a blizzard that dumped 9 inches of snow. In Pittsburgh Edith Bell spoke at the local event organized by Occupy Pittsburgh. After their rally they proceeded to a gas corporation where one of the organizers - dressed as a judge in black robes and white wig  - proclaimed; “We demand that this corporate person provide a birth certificate!” A proclamation to the same effect was also posted on the door. Pittsburg WILPFers repeated the process at the BNY Mellon building before moving on to the Federal Courthouse building. 

Finally there was a rally and street theater in front of the Old Courthouse in San Jose. Lois Fiedler provided a video at http://www.youtube.com/user/librarising777  and at 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madtqA4SdTA&feature=youtu.be. 

Great work, WILPFers!  

STOP NUCLEAR MISSILE TESTING NOW! On February 25, shortly after midnight, the Pentagon and Strategic Command plan a test launch of another Minuteman III intercontinental missile from Vandenberg AFB. It will be aimed at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, in the South Pacific. Read MacGregor Eddy’s article on page two of the current Global Network Space Alert. Download a flier you can adapt for leafleting or letter writing. Write to your editor, your Congresspersons and President Obama to stop these tests and work for a Nuclear Free Future now. Contact MacGregor Eddy with questions about the vigil at Vandenberg AFB and Carol Urner for information about the one at El Segundo AFB in Los Angeles. 

EDUCATE CONGRESS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND POWER: Reserve your space NOW for D.C. days with WILPF and Alliance for Nuclear Accountability Saturday March 17 through Wednesday March 21. Click here for a housing reservation form and links to ANA for registration and more information on D.C. days. Most members can pay their own way since costs are low and benefits high. We will have limited funds available for those with high travel costs. Ideally Branches will help members attend who can return with new knowledge and motivation to organize in their own communities for a nuclear free future. Contact Claire Gosselin for questions on housing reservations and NFFchairs@wilpf.org for other questions on D.C. Days or to let us know you are registering.

Links and information mentioned above to stop nuclear missile testing:

• Vandenberg Space Command Dominates the Pacific (article on page 2)
• Download a flier you can adapt for leafleting or letter writing. 
• Write to your editor, your Congresspersons, and President Obama
• Contact MacGregor Eddy at macgregoreddy@gmail.com and Carol Urner at carol.disarm@gmail.com.
• Reserve your space NOW for D.C. days.
• Click here for a housing reservation form.
• Claire Gosselin’s email address is clagos@verizon.net
• D.C. Days Registration Form

Become allies in the growing international movement for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo! Support our Congolese sisters and brothers in bringing an end to this devastating war that is being fought on the bodies of women and children.

After fifteen years of conflict, the UN has called Congo "the rape capital of the world." Watch Eve Ensler's impassioned plea for the women of Congo.

This conflict is international and complex. All warring groups are fighting over the area's vast mineral wealth—especially the minerals that we use every day in our laptop computers and cell phones. WILPF Boston Branch has been working tirelessly to enact legislation to make Massachusetts the second state after California to enact Congo Conflict Minerals legislation!

Take action now:

• Contact the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and urge it to immediately issue forceful federal Congo Conflict Minerals regulations.

Here are action items if you live in Massachusetts (or can mobilize your MA friends): 

• Contact your state senator and  representative and ask them to support the MA Congo Conflict Minerals bill (HD 04065 An Act Relative to Congo Conflict Minerals). Go to www.congoactionnow.weebly.com  ("Take Action") for a sample letter or email. To locate your state legislators go to www.malegislature.gov.
• Add your name to THIS FORM to help us build a database of constituents who can contact specific legislators.
• Contact Senator Scott Brown at www.scottbrown.senate.gov and express your concern that he has called for a delay in federal regulations. Urge him to call on the Securities and Exchange Commission to immediately issue these regulations. Go to www.congoactionnow.weebly.com ("Take Action") for a sample letter or email.  Follow up with a call to Sen. Brown's Boston office at 617-565-3170.
• Sign Congo Action Now's petition to the Massachusetts legislature.

The very first international human rights movement emerged to bring justice to Congo.

JOIN THE STRUGGLE!

 For more information about the Democratic Republic of Congo and actions you can take, go to the Congo Action Now website at www.congoactionnow.weebly.com or email Pat Aron at congoactionnow@yahoo.com.  Congo Action Now is a project of Boston WILPF.